The ongoing hearing to determine whether Colin John might have grounds to be found not criminally responsible in the May 2016 murder of Derek Descoteau in Chemainus is a continual source of frustration for Brenda Smith and her family.

The hearing was supposed to wrap up after two weeks in BC Supreme Court in Duncan at the insistence of Justice Lisa Warren, but got extended again due to witness scheduling issues.

B次元官网网址淲e are all frustrated,B次元官网网址� said Smith, DescoteauB次元官网网址檚 mother. B次元官网网址淚t feels like itB次元官网网址檚 never going to end.B次元官网网址�

The dates for the continuation of the hearing are Jan. 9, 2023 (all day), Jan. 10 (2 p.m. start), Feb. 6 (all day), Feb. 7 (2 p.m. start) and Feb. 8 (all day).

John pleaded guilty last November, 2021, to the murder of Descoteau and a downgraded charge of aggravated assault in the stabbing of Janelle Guyatt, DescoteauB次元官网网址檚 girlfriend. Guyatt survived the attack but has required numerous surgeries over the years to deal with her injuries.

During the pre-sentencing report phase, JohnB次元官网网址檚 lawyer Scott Sheets eventually made a not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder application that led to the hearing.

Expert testimony has been heard on both sides and John took the stand himself for two days, but the hearing is yet to be concluded.